Drowning Mona (2000)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Nick Gomez

Writer (WGA):

Peter Steinfeld (written by)

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Comedy

Tagline:

1 murder. 460 prime suspects. Not so much of a 'who done it' as a 'who didn't'.

Plot:

When a woman drives a car into the river to her death, everyone in town becomes a suspect.

Plot Keywords:

Yugo | Beer | Humor | Drowning | Screaming

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Danny DeVito	...	Chief Wyatt Rash
Bette Midler	...	Mona Dearly
Neve Campbell	...	Ellen Rash
Jamie Lee Curtis	...	Rona Mace
Casey Affleck	...	Bobby Calzone
William Fichtner	...	Phil Dearly
Marcus Thomas	...	Jeff Dearly
Peter Dobson	...	Lt. Feege Gruber
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Lucinda
Tracey Walter	...	Clarence
Will Ferrell	...	Cubby the Funeral Director
Paul Ben-Victor	...	Deputy Tony Carlucci
Paul Schulze	...	Deputy Jimmy D.
Mark Pellegrino	...	Murph Calzone
Raymond O'Connor	...	Father Tom Stowick

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements, language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #37219) | Iceland:10 (theatrical rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Beacon, New York, USA

Company:

Code Entertainment

Trivia:

"Mona Dearly" (the character played by Bette Midler) is an anagram for "Only a dream."

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ellen leaves the gas station after hearing what happened to Phil, her gas cap is on top of her car. When she stops the car in the next scene, the gas cap is mysteriously back in place.

Quotes:

Mona: Why'de you pull us over Feege?
Feege: Oh let me think about that Mona, you're riding on rims and you pulled an 1107 on an officer of the law. What the hell is the matter with you son? (to Jeph)
Mona: What did you hurt him for?
Feege: He's drunk!
Mona: No he aint! Its OK baby. (to Jeph.) You're gonna pay for this Feege! You just lost your lawn service pal!

Movie Connections:

References Fletch (1985)

Soundtrack:

Crazy

Underrated gem...

I believe that this movie was panned when it first came out, and I don't know why. It is truly an underrated comedic gem that deserves more recognition. The performances are perfect (with the exception of Campbell) and the dialogue is hysterical.

William Fichtner steals the show as the sleazy "battered husband." His performance is tops in a stellar cast. Marcus Thomas is excellent as his son and lazy landscaping partner to Affleck, who is marvelous as the nervous and long-suffering lead. Will Ferrell puts in a great cameo as a creepy mortician.

Are there flaws? Of course. As another comment mentioned, Tracy Walter's character, Clarence, could have been developed more. Also, some the other characters' run-ins with Mona probably could've been better detailed as well, and the resolution isn't the most satisfying. But this movie is less about the plot and more great characterizations and riotous dialogue.

I own the DVD and I roll with laughter every time I see it, even though I practically have it memorized. This movie should be remembered as